By Journalist Marlee Taylor (OSU)
Oklahoma State Capitol to start this year’s OIL session
At a recent press conference for the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature (OIL),
nominees for Governor and Lieutenant Governor shared lessons from past decisions
that shaped their leadership styles. When asked to reflect on a decision they regret and
how it informed their leadership, each candidate gave a personal and thoughtful
response.
One Governor nominee admitted to overcommitting during their junior year. “I spread
myself a little too thin, trying to do too much at once,” they said (personal
communication, April 2025). This experience taught them the importance of prioritizing
responsibilities and staying focused, a lesson they plan to apply if elected.
Another Governor nominee shared a similar experience from their freshman spring
semester. Involved in multiple organizations including state-level competitions, band,
and OIL, they realized their performance suffered across the board. “I picked OIL to
prioritize, and cut back on other activities,” they explained. This helped them be more
present and effective with their fellow delegates (personal communication, April 2025).
Lieutenant Governor nominees also reflected on valuable leadership lessons. One
discussed serving as state president for Business Professionals of America during the
COVID-19 pandemic. They expressed regret over not reaching out more to team
members. “We missed a lot of opportunities to connect, and I wish I had tried harder to
build those relationships,” they said (personal communication, April 2025). The situation
taught them the importance of personal connection in leadership.
Another nominee described leading the Black Committee for the Oklahoma College
Democrats. They acknowledged being too passive and overly focused on group
consensus. “I wasn’t assertive enough. I’ve learned that being a leader doesn’t mean
being rude—it means taking initiative and following through,” they stated (personal
communication, April 2025). They’ve since applied this lesson by being more proactive
in current leadership roles.
Each nominee emphasized growth through experience. Whether learning to manage
time, prioritize commitments, or lead with more confidence, their reflections show a
shared dedication to improving as leaders and serving their peers effectively within OIL.